Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Catch-Up, Excerpt, and Blog Love

I've missed you!

It's only been a week, but I've had the shakes from missing my blogosphere friends. Yes, you are in the right place. The lovely Tiana Smith helped me create the new look for my blog. She's absolutely fabulous. If you're itching for a change, go check out her site.

Next, I wanted to tell you what the "Laude" tab is all about above me. Twice a month, I'm going to highlight someone who's had an impact on my writing life or me as a person. To see who my first victim is, go click on the link above.

Writing is rocking for me right now. I'm absolutely in love with my new project, knowing that this story is "the one." So just for Michael, because he wanted an excerpt, I'll post this from BLISTERS, my YA ballet ghost story:

Standing in the wings, I almost don’t see him. The lights are off, and he sits so still, like he’s sleeping, or praying. He’s perched on center stage, with his legs crossed and his head down. A door open from the audience brings in just enough light to show his profile. His hair flops down over his forehead, casting heavy shadows on his cheeks.

Then, without warning, he unfolds himself and stands, the act quick, but smooth. Only a dancer could stand with such precision. He puts his feet in fifth, and then tombe, glisee’s into a beated assemble. He then springs into a series of jumps, his feet light—so light—on the ground. The only sound heard is his breathing, carrying through the empty space.

He’s magic. Watching Griffin’s body move through the dark is silk on my skin. A harp playing in my heart. I don’t want him to stop.

***

How are your projects? I want to hear about them! Any fun things planned for the week? Planning on visiting Tiana's site? Have you signed up for the "What If?" Blogfest yet? Time to catch up!

I'm not sure if it's supposed to be there, but your follow buttons are like, an inch in from the right on my computer, and they block the text when I scroll down. Not sure if anyone else is seeing this or if it's just me?

I'm working on re-structuring my first MS, along with outlining and beginning my second "official" WIP. There are many others hanging in the wings, but these two feel the best right now. I'm loving it :-)

First off, the new look is amazing! Tiana has done her magic again. It really suits you as well.

Secondly, loved the excerpt. You gots game!

Thirdly, my projects...still querying, getting a short story published, outlining a new project. Fun things planned...probably go see Spidey today, not much past that. Planning on visiting Tiana's site? I'm a regular!!! Signed up for the "What If?" Blogfest...yeppers! How's that for a catch up? :)

Your new blog look is just so, so pretty! I ♥ it very much. :) Thanks for sharing your WiP excerpt too, it sounds fantastic! I've been really interested in all things ballet lately, and realized that I watch three different shows that feature ballet: Bunheads, Breaking Pointe, and Dance Academy. I've got kind of a theme going on. :)

Yes! It seems to be a "thing" which is funny. I've been watching Bunheads and Breaking Pointe too... Breaking Pointe is actually filmed right where I live. I spent 7 years dancing in those studios up with Ballet West! It's crazy to see it on TV! (And SYTYCD is my fav show ever) :D

Your blog is so pretty! I had to double check to make sure I hadn't accidentally clicked on someone else's blog when it first popped up. *wink*

I look forward to reading more of your ballet ghost story. As I was reading, I kept expecting your character to disappear mid-leap...hehehe.

My writing is going fabulously! I am still as 'in love' with my first story as I ever was and so working on the sequel to that and exploring more of that world is super fun. I am also exploring a new world in a 3rd project. I think I am going to save it for NanoWriMo in November and just concentrate on book 2 of the other.

I'm loving your blog's new look, very clean. Glad you are rocking the writing. Well done on the excerpt, if the whole book reads like that it will certainly be the "one"! I'm hoping to get back to my WIP today. I've been very un-motivated.

I'm loving your blog's new look, very clean. Glad you are rocking the writing. Well done on the excerpt, if the whole book reads like that it will certainly be the "one"! I'm hoping to get back to my WIP today. I've been very un-motivated.

I'm getting a lot of progress done on my primary WIP, after stalling for a few weeks. It's a historical set from 1946-47 in Atlantic City and Wildwood, my second volume in my expanded story of one of my Shoah characters who ultimately connects to my Atlantic City characters. I decided to turn my long short story/piece of backstory I wrote in 2006 into a full-length novel, and decided to use the rest of the material and timeline as a second book with its own storyline. I'm possibly somewhat over halfway done. I'm feeling very confident in my decision to turn my collections of stories about my Shoah characters into full-length books and just make them a spin-off series from the Atlantic City series. Less competition between storylines, and more focus on the main characters.

I'm having a great time as a camp counselor for the nursery bunk, at the local Orthodox day camp. I was a counselor for the girls in K-6 last summer, and taking care of only six kids ages 3 and 4 is somehow more exhausting. Hopefully the whole summer will be fun.

MORG! I LOVE the new look! Ahh! Its beautiful! I love changing things up a bit. It's so refreshing and fun! And, LOVE your except. You never cease to amaze me my dear. NEVER. You are on fire these days! Wahoo!!!

And OMG the excerpt! You're writing is amazing! I can't use enough exclamation points. And Griffin sounds hot hot hot. I can't wait to read more. It's like you are able to describe beauty in such sensual language that I can't peel my eyes away.